We are calling on the Government of Alberta and federal regulators to immediately pause the approval and development of large-scale AI data centre projects — including the proposed “Wonder Valley” development near Grande Prairie — until full environmental, water, and public interest protections are properly enforced.

While innovation and economic development are important, these proposed data centres raise serious and urgent concerns that cannot be ignored.

1. Massive Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Alberta’s electricity grid is still heavily dependent on natural gas. Mega data centres require enormous amounts of power — in some cases more than entire cities. Supplying this energy through fossil fuels could result in tens of megatonnes of additional greenhouse gas emissions annually, undermining both provincial and national climate commitments.

2. Unsustainable Water Consumption
Large data centres require significant water for cooling, often using millions of litres per day. Alberta is already experiencing increasing drought conditions and water stress. Diverting water to industrial-scale data infrastructure threatens agriculture, ecosystems, and long-term water security for communities.

3. Strain on Alberta’s Electrical Grid
The scale of proposed projects far exceeds current grid capacity. This could lead to increased electricity costs for residents, greater risk of outages, and the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades that may ultimately be borne by the public.

4. Weakening of Environmental Oversight
Recent policy changes — including accelerated approvals and reduced regulatory barriers — raise serious concerns about transparency and accountability. Fast-tracking projects of this magnitude risks bypassing thorough environmental assessments and meaningful public consultation.

5. Impacts on Local and Indigenous Communities
Communities near proposed developments face increased noise, air pollution, and industrialization of their regions. Indigenous groups have also raised concerns about insufficient consultation and potential impacts on land, water, and traditional ways of life.

6. Disproportionate Benefits vs. Public Risk
While these projects are often promoted as economic opportunities, the primary beneficiaries are large technology corporations. Meanwhile, Albertans bear the environmental risks, infrastructure strain, and long-term consequences.

We are not opposed to technology or progress.
However, development must be responsible, sustainable, and aligned with the public interest.

We call for:

A full and independent environmental impact assessment for all large-scale data centre projects
Strong limits on water usage and guaranteed protection of local water supplies
Requirements for renewable energy use rather than fossil fuel dependency
Transparent public consultation, including meaningful Indigenous engagement
A pause on approvals until Alberta’s infrastructure and environmental safeguards can support such projects responsibly
Alberta’s future should not be compromised for short-term industrial expansion.

Sign this petition to demand responsible development, environmental protection, and accountability.